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Astley Castle
Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Introducing Astley Castle
The complex site that has developed at Astley over some thousand years of continuous occupation is of national importance - the castle is listed Grade II* and its setting is a Scheduled Ancient Monument - but today it stands crumbling, locked away and unexplained.
There is the moated 'Castle' itself, more a fortified manor house than a true castle, with successive building phases. Nearby stands the church of St Mary, first built by Sir Thomas Astley in 1343 and enlarged by the Chamberlains in the early 17th century. The 18th century Gothic stable block, reminds us that Astley lies on the estate of Arbury Hall, itself a famous example of eighteenth-century Gothic architecture.
Astley Castle was occupied until 1978, when it was devastated by fire. Today, it is an unconsolidated ruin, so ravaged by time and events that no single element of its architecture is a truly exceptional example of its kind, especially in its current state of advanced decline.
Yet even today, it is impossible to walk around the site without sensing its atmosphere. Moated castle, gateway and curtain walls, lake, church and the ghost of pleasure gardens all combine in a picturesque landscape of great power. By giving the castle site a new purpose that allows it to take its place in the 21st century and beyond, the Landmark Trust hopes to gently bring back to life the entire setting at Astley, to be enjoyed through staying, and to be explained and made accessible to all.
Astley Castle will be open for stays in 2012.
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